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Broad Street's Boot & Saddle will reopen by next year
Avram Hornik of Union Transfer, Drinker's and Ortlieb's will reopen the iconic bar and preserve the super-awesome neon sign.
Broad Street's Boot & Saddle will reopen by next year
The Boot & Saddle, located at 1131 S. Broad Street, will reopen its doors and relight its unmistakable sign in 2013, as decided by the Zoning Board of Adjustment yesterday afternoon. The ZBA has granted its blessing with the provision that the neighborhood not be affected by noise.
Avram Hornik of Four Corners Management, who runs spots like Lucy's Hat Shop, the Drinker's bars, Union Transfer and the recently reopened Ortlieb's, plans on bringing live music booked by R5 Productions to the venue, which hasn't been operational for more than a decade. Hornik has worked with the Passyunk Square Civic Association and the South Broad Street Neighborhood Association (SBSNA) on compromises to avoid disturbing neighbors.
The Del Borrello family has owned the B&S since it was first licensed to sell liquor shortly after the end of Prohibition. Frank Del Borrello's father opened the bar after retiring from the Navy; they also own Bambi Cleaners, with its equally iconic sign, at Broad and Porter. "My father was a Navy interpreter. He was in the service for 30 years," said Del Borrello. "He was a little country and western from being in the service. He said, first he was in salt water, then sudsy water, then firewater." Hornik will be leasing, not buying, the property from the Del Borrellos.
Del Borrello smiled as he reminisced about the Boot & Saddle being open. "All the Navy guys, all the Marines, they all came here," he said. "It was a real good place."
When the telltale orange liquor-license sign first went up in the window in October 2011, there was immediate neighborhood pushback. The SBSNA initially disapproved of the idea of a bar on Broad, as did the pastor of the nearby Emmanuel Chapel. Hornik, Del Borrello and the associations have since collaborated on an agreement to ensure the B&S will not disturb neighbors. Provisions include improved soundproofing and a 12:30 a.m. curfew for all live music.
"The community has been great," Hornik said after the meeting. "We've got a lot of support and everyone's really excited to see a live music venue in South Philly. We try to be where our patrons are, and so many music fans live here."
The revamped bar will be open seven days a week from 5 p.m. through 2 a.m., as well as for brunch on weekends. The Boot & Saddle's original neon sign will be restored to its former glowing glory. Hornik compared the inside of the bar (above) to a museum several times during the zoning meeting; the interior will be revamped to reflect the bar's history and style.
Hornik hopes to start construction on the property by summertime and open the bar in 2013. He is hopeful the return of the old-school Philly fixture will lend momentum to a South Broad Street revival. "One of the best things about Philadelphia is that it's a mixed-use city," he said. "There's so much going on everywhere here."
Photos: Beth Boyle / Courtesy of Four Corners Management
Hot damn!— tsarstruck- pretty cool but there is already a live music venue in south philly called CONNIE'S RIC RAC 1132 S 9TH ST 19147— bob dylan
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